N1 Standards and Accordance
~に則って: meaning, usage and examples
~に則って means: in accordance with... / following... (rules).
How to form it
<Noun> + に則って / <Noun> + に則った + Noun
Examples
法律に則って、適切に処理してください。
Please handle it properly in accordance with the law.
社内のルールに則って、経費を申請する。
I submit expense claims following the company's internal rules.
試合は国際ルールに則って行われる。
The match will be held in accordance with international rules.
伝統に則って、式は神社で執り行われた。
Following tradition, the ceremony was held at a shrine.
When to use it
Means acting according to rules, laws, procedures or tradition, taking them as the model to follow. Example: 法律に則って処理する (handle it in accordance with the law). Typical nouns are 法律, 規則, ルール, 手続き, 伝統, 古式. に則った modifies a following noun: 伝統に則った儀式.
Nuance
Formal and written; common in official documents, business, ceremonies and sports. It implies correct, proper procedure. It does not fit casual personal habits; for those, use に従って or 通りに.
Compare
に従って is the general "follow": 指示に従って進む. に則って is more formal and is for established rules or customs. に即して fits facts and real conditions: 実情に即して. に基づいて means based on evidence or data: データに基づいて判断する.
Tip: 則 is the kanji of 規則 (rule). If the noun is a rule, law or tradition, に則って is the formal choice.
Related points
Similar meaning, often confused
More in Standards and Accordance
- ~に即して / ~に即した: based on... / in line with... / conforming to...
- ~に照らして: in light of... / compared with...
- ~を踏まえて: based on... / taking into account...
- ~を経て: through... / after... / via...
- ~と相まって: combined with... / coupled with...
Frequently asked questions
What does ~に則って mean?
In accordance with... / following... (rules). Example: 法律に則って、適切に処理してください。 (Please handle it properly in accordance with the law.)
How do you form ~に則って?
<Noun> + に則って / <Noun> + に則った + Noun. 則 is the kanji of 規則 (rule). If the noun is a rule, law or tradition, に則って is the formal choice.